OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 73

OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held at the Land Board Office on Friday afternoon, and was attended by about 20 gentlemen.

Your council in presenting the thirty-sixth annual report congratulate members on a fairly successful season. Financial. — On reference to the balance sheet it will be seen that the revenue for the year was £956 9s 3d, and the expenditure £796 13s 2d, showing a credit balance on the year's operations of £159 i6s Id. The revenue this year is £64 16s 5d more than last, principally from the increased sale of fishing licenses.

Licenses Issued. — The number of licenses issued was: — Men's, 498; boys', 106; ladies', 37; half-yearly, 107; perch, 74; deer shooting, 47 ; imported game, 33.

Pisb Culture. — The quantities of fish in the society's ponds at Clinton are: — Salmon, 100 five years old, 200 four years old; Loch Leven, 250 j Scotch burn, 140; rainbow, 190; American brook, 30; hybrids, 15; salmon fry, 3500; Loch Leven fry, 17,000; rainbow fry, 5500. Opoho ponde: — Loch Leven, 75; rainbow, 75; American brook, 75; Loch Leven fry, 7700; rainbow fry, 8000; American brook fry, 400. The quantities of fi3h distributed during the past season were: — Brown trout fry, 122,000; Loch Leven fry, 111,700; Scotch burn fry, 56,000; rainbow fry, 18,000; Loch Leven yearlings, 5370; brown trout yearlings, 2500; salmon yearlings, 6-10; rainbow trout (two years old), 1866. At the Opoho establishment Mr Deans has enlarged the breeding ponds, which will enable a larger number oi fish to be reared there in future. Although a considerable number of rainbow trout up to two years old have been turned out into the Waipahi and Waiwera streams during the past few years, very few of them have been caught so far ; one of 2Jlb was caught in the Waipahi last fishing season, and a few from Jib to Jib were also taken by anglers. The number of fishing licenses «old last year was 822. This is the largest number ever issued by the society, and as nearly all the other acclimatisation societies in the colony show a considerable increase in the sale of fishing licenses, breeding establishments will have to be kept going to keep our streams well stocked. Last June the three-year-old salmon at the Clinton ponds were affected by a peculiar disease resembling paralysis- "When a fish became affected it would lie at the side of the pond for a few days, then would lie on its side motionless for two or three weeks before dying. They seem to lose, all power from the dorsal fin downwards. They were removed from their pond and put into one of the races, where they were carefully watched, and as one became affected it was at once removed. In two months' time after being in the race the disease seemed to cease, and after a time they were removed into their own pond. Altogether about 100 died of the disease. -Messrs •G-ilruth and Wilkie, Government veterinary surgeons, are making a thorough, investigation into the nature and cause of the disease, and your council have sent reports of the malady to the best authorities in America and the Home Country to ascertain whether any similar disease has been known..

New Hatchery.— The old hatchery at Clinton, which was built entirely of wood, and had been in use for 20 years, was getting into a bad state of decay, and as some of the fry in the boxes showed symptoms of the disease that attacked - the three-year-old salmon, your council decided to pull the building down and erect a new one. The new hatchery now in course of erection will have concrete walls and floor, with all the latest improvements, and will be finished in time to receive this season's fry.

Salmon. — Mr has both British and Calif ornian salmon fry in the Government Hatchery at Hakateuramea, also a considerable number of yearling Californian salmon in the ponds. As many as the ponds can accommodate will be kept of both kinds until they are three and four years old before being liberated.

Red Deer.— The herd of red deer on the Morven Hills and adjacent districts are doing remarkably well. We arc much indebted to 3£r C. Turnbull for a very valuable report on the herd from personal observations made by him in April of this year. Mr Turnbull informs us that the deer have greatly increased in numbers and sprc-ad far afield since he saw them last, some seven years ago, and that the feed in the deer country has greatly improved of late years owing to the rabbits being much less numerous than formerly. Mr A. E. Leatham, a visitor from the Home Country, also kindly sent to the council a report on the deer in the Hunter Valley. Mr Xieatham spent a month in the district, and found deer fairly numerous in all the valleys running into the Hunter Valley ; some of the valleys being 10 and 12 miles long. Thirty mile 3up the Hunter Valley Mr Leathain shot stags, and observed their tracks going still further afield. The outer fringes of the herd will now probably be on the slopes of the West Coaat, where they will have unlimited scope to spread unmolested, and will afford good deer-stalking for any number of sportsmen in the future. Owing to the mild winttr and early spring the stags this season were in $ne condition, and carried good antlers. Several were shot whose carcases would weigh from five to air hundred pounds each, and quite a. number of the heads obtained had antlers from 40 to 46 inches long from tip to base, with width of span up to 41 inches. Mr Quin, of Tapanui, procured this year four young hinds and two stags from Mr Chirnside, of Victoria. These have been put down on the upper reaches of the Poinahaka River, where the country is suitable "for their requirements.

Fallow Deer.— The herd of fallow deer on the Blue Mountains, although spreading very little from the bush and gullies on the mountain, are holding their own well. Sportsmen report the crop of faxrns seen in the herd as being numerous, and, seeing that 40 licenses were issued to shoot bucks this season, probably about 200 of these were killed altogether, taking into consideration those that were wounded and got away to die in the bush. Your council purpose catching a number of fawns next season, and, when a year old, turning them out in other parts of the society's districts most suitable.

Large Game. — It is with pleasure your council observe that the Government is taking in hand the importation of big game into the colony, as from past experiences n'oney that has been spent of late year 3 by the different acclimatisation societies in trying to introduce game birds has been thrown away, and we ac» no prospect in the future for this class of game as long as stoat 3, weasels, and ferrets continue »s numerous as they arc; besides there is the poisoned grain and hawks to contend with. Owing to a circular issued by the Government requesting contributions from the acclimatisation societies towards the expense of introducing big game, about JEIOOO has been contributed, and as the Government give pound ior pound the sum of £2000 ought to go a long way in making a start in this desirable object. Although this society have voted £100 towards the introduction of big game, your council do not anticipate that any big game will be put down in the society's district, as the beet districts are already stocked with fallow and ted deer, and the Government should hare a- free b»«A ia uut dffiaa Jus. _a*»o iv districts axaai,

suitable for them. Government have already put down four moose deer on the West Coast, and from the way the red deer have thriven in this country, your council think the wapiti deer would do equally well in some of the wildest parts. Several of the smaller kinds of deer might be put down in suitable parts as well. The ibex and other suitable animals ought to do well on our snow mountain tops, but larger animals, such as the wapiti and red deer, will prove more attractive to-sports-men. The surplus funds of acclimatisation societies could always be available for importations of big game.

Birds. — Your council think it is useless persevering in trying to introduce game birds, and that greater efforts should be made to preserve those birds indigenous to the country by limiting the shooting season to two months — May and June. No ducks that could be imported into the country would equal our own grey duck. At one time it was thought that the Virginian quail might do with us, but of the different lots liberated by the society during the last two or three years nothing is now to be seen of them. A few broods of pheasants were reared at the Clinton establishment last season, and several settlers who got from the society nrhree hens and a cock bird succeeded in rearing brood 3, which were allowed to go where they liked after their foster mother left them. The young go about the homesteads and feed with the fowls, but as the breeding season comes round they will retire to the open country to lay. Californian quail are fairly numerous in the Cromwell, Clyde, and Alexandra districts.

Wild Geese. — Owing to the uncertainty of Lakes Waihola and Waipori being opened for shooting this season wild geese were not added to the list of game birds, but sportsmen will be allowed to shoot them .next season.

Fishing. — The society's gold medal for fly competition on the Waipahi was won by W. M'Callum, jun., with 18 fish weighing 351b, and the silver medal was won by R. Spears, with 13 fish weighing 271b. Anglers during the fishing season had good water nearly the whole time owing to the wet spring and summer experienced. The usual number of heavy baskets of 40lb and 501b were got by expert anglers living in the- neighbourhood of the Waipahi. The Waiwera also produced good baskets, and quite a number of trout from 51b to 9lb were taken from this grand little stream in October and November. The great majority of those trout were in first-class condition, and had no appearance of being newly-run fish, so we conclude they are natives of the stream. All the old favourite streams fished well, and the Shag was a great attraction for Dunedin anglers. Anglers in tie tidal waters of the larger rivers did well ; a 21£lb fish is the largest we have heard of being taken.

Deer Stalking. — The usual number of sportsmen were out -after the red deer stags, and many fine heads were secured. The Messrs Hodgkinson were very successful in getting good heads. Mr H. Hodgkinson's best head was a very fine trophy indeed, a royal with antlers measuring 46in from tip to base, with a 41in width of span. Mr Hodgkinson had a fine five hours' stalk in securing this head. The Messrs Studholme got their number of heads (eight) in four days, • and amongst them were some real good royals and imperials. Mr Hardcastle, of Christchurch, had two very fine heads in his four, and Mr Leatham, a visitor from England, was very successful far up the Hunter Valley. Probably more real good heads were got this season than since stalking was allowed, some 14 or 15 years ago, which shows that the herd is not deteriorating in any way. Forty sportsmen were on the Blue Mountains after the fallow bucks this season. The best heads were got in the heavy timber in the Rankleburn.

Native Game. — The shooting season for native game was opened on April 1. Ducks were fairly numerous, but owing to the large auantity of flood waters about it was difficult to get within range of them. A large number of young ducks were Teared last breeding season. This is accounted for owing to our sti earns, lake 3, and lagoons being full of water when the young birds were hatched, and they had the benefit of the cover at the edges of the water, which protects them from the hawks in a great measure. Pigeons and pukakis were fairly numerous after their year of grace last season. As settlement goes on m the interior the pigeons get further back into the bush, and are harder to get now.

As great complaints are made by farmers of the damage done by the small birds, especially sparrows and green linnets, it might be advisable for the society to consider the question of introducing birds such as the owl, magpie, and" jays, all of which destroy large numbers of the eggs and young of these small birds. The owl especially would be very valuable as a -destroyer of rats and mice, as well as young birds.

Protection of Game and Trout. — Your council again solicit the assistance of country friends in keeping down illegal practices, and especially thank those who have for years been of service to the society in this direction.

Shags. — All anglers in the country districts should pay strict attention to the destruction of these pests. The society pay 2s a head for shags killed on our inland streams. Mr J. Steven, who has acted as ranger to the society for the past nine months, has been appointed curator to the Clinton establishment.

The society is greatly indebted to the Union Steam Ship Company and to the Railway Department for their great assistance in furthering th; work of the society by the care and attention paid to anything committed to their charge.

Mr A. C. Begg, who presided, moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet, and referred to the loss the society had sustained from the enforced absenco of their president, Mr Maitland. It was a year ago since the society had passed a resolution of sympathy for Mr Maitland, and he proposed to do it again before the meeting closed, as he felt that Mr Maitland had been of great service and benefit in acclimatisation matters. "With regard to the balance sheet, Mr Stronaeh had already given them a number of details, and the general result was simply this: that they began the year with a balance of £312, and finished it with a balance of £4-70, an increase of £158. This they must regard as being very satisfactory. The amount received from fishing licenses this year was £64-5, as against £567 for the year before, and here again was an increase of £82. The deer licenses numbered 84 last year, and had risen this year to 117, an increase of 33, and these increases could not be regarded as other than exceedingly satisfactory. Sine© last meeting they had appointed a new man to take charge of the ponds at Clinton. This was Mr John Steven, wbo had acted as ranger previously, and the society hoped he would prove thoroughly satisfactory. The report dealt pretty largely with fish culture. They had bred a large number of fry, and had turned out a large number of fry and yearlings during the year. They t» ere now erecting new buildings, the plans for •which had kindly been supplied by Mr Forrest, and they would, when completed, be a great improvement upon what thpy had had pi furiously. He d:d not think the public quits realised how much the society had done for aaidieg aud in, biiugkyj at^t >uu.d

trout-fishing we now had in our rivers. He had been lately in the Old Country, and had found out how far it Tvas behind in the facilities offered for fishing, compared with the colony. Fishing was not to be obtained there except in preserved waters, and even in some of these the fishing was nothing like what it was in New Zealand. Mr Begg then proceeded to compare the size of the trout and the weight of the baskets taken in the Old Countrj with those obtained here. Then the expense of fishing at Home was so great — especially for salmon-fishing, in connection with which £100 was the cost for the season for one rod. He maintained that the sport obtained from 8 to 10 salmon was nothing like the sport obtained here with the trout, and a far greater weight of fish was caught here than the weight of salmon taken at Home fort£loo. He thought they might congratulate themselves upon the excellent fishing in New Zealand, and thought they would have a great influx of tourists owing to the attraction it offered. When the facilities for tourists increased this influx would undoubtedly take place. The report showed that the deer were increasing in a very satisfactory way — both as regarded red and fallow deer. There was a proposal to introduce the moose and other American deer, and to ask the society to contribute towards the cost, but all their country suitable for deer was already occupied by red deer, •which he thought was about as good as they could get. It was also proposed that they should go in largely for the importation of game birds, but those already imported had disappeared, and he was afraid it would be throwing away money. What they felt was that they should protect native game birds : and to thi9 end should endeavour to get the Government not to open the shooting season 60 early, so as to prevent the killing of so large a number of young ducks. They also felt that the police should take every jneang to bring those shooting ducks out of season to justice, and have them punished. Great complaints were made by the farmers with regard to the small-bird nuisance, and it might be advisable for the society to introduce the owl, the jay, and the magpie, these being; noted for destroying the ne^ts of small birds, as poisoning did not seem to make much impression upon the small birds in the country.

Mr R. Chisholm seconded the motion for the adoption of the report and balance sheet. It was a matter for regret, however, that year after year their efforts to acclimatise game birds should prove a failure. To get them introduced seemed a forlorn hope with the ob&tacles that existed, and he very much feared that if the birds mentioned by the chairman were brought out they would share the same late as their predecessors. So long as stoats and weasels were so plentiful it seemed hopeless to attempt to introduce game birds. It was very gratifying to see that their fish planting had been so succeesful. The licenses issued last year numbered 498, and for the previous year there were only 435 distributed, which meant that for last year there was an increase of 63. He was eorry to say that the increase in boys' licenses was small, only three more being taken out last year than during the year preceding. The number of ladies' licenses had decreased. The matter of introducing deer into a district where they had never been before was very interesting. The gentleman who had done this at his own expense was Mr Quin, and the locality where the deer had been introduced was the Upper Pomahaka. He thought they should apply to Government to have a sanctuary at the head of the Pomahaka set aside and have it closed against shooting, for some time at any rate. Another desirable feature in suc'i a movement would be the preservation of the bush. It was his intention to maKe it his business to move in that direction, and try to get the area declared a reserve. He did not think the advantages of having the ponds at Opoho were quite appreciated by the community, and if it was more widely known how much there was to be seen there he was satisfied the place would be visited by a, much larger number of people. He also referred to the good work done by Mr Dean?. With regard to the small-bird nuisance, he thought it went without saying that since they had been the mcan3 of introducing it they should assist in keeping it down by every legitimate means. Mr Gliis-holm concluded by mentioning that he had been pleased to find that the introduction of opossums at Owaka had been successful.

Mr John Roberts, speaking as to the smallbird nmsancp, said that if Government offered a premium of £50 or £100 for the discovery of some method by which the birds might be destroyed, it would bo well if the society could see its way to increase the premium.

Mr ¥. R. Chapman said the only thing he was afraid of \va3 that if they introduced the birds the chairman had spoken of they might be introducing something that might prove another pest. These predatory birds had a uas-ty way of changing their habits, and they might have the farmers turning round and saying they preferred the old evil to the new one. He would like to know what assurance there was that birds like the owl would not themselves become a nuisance.

The Chairman having pointed out that it was not the Otago Society that introduced the sparrows — he believed it was the Christchurch people, — the motion for the adoption of the report and balance sheet was cairied. Mr T. Brown, in moving the re-election of Mr J. P Maitland as president, said he was euro the chairman would agree with him that it wa= a desirable thing ro appoint that gentleman Ho (Mr Maitland) had served the society for many years, aud had served it well.

Mr John Roberts seconded the nomination. Mr R. Chisholm said he rose with very great diffidence to move an amendment, because if there was anyone in the council of the society who appreciated Mr Maitland it was he (Mr Chisholm). But there was a great deal of sentiment in the matter, and in view of the continued condition of their friend Air Maitland, it seemed to him that they were shirking their duty to the society in not having a president who could preside over the peering 5 ; and assist in carrying out the functions of the society. He begged to move that Mr Beg^ be president. Mr Begg (the chairman) said he would prefpr very much to have his nanie left out in the meantime. Mr Maitland had doiie a gieax deal of work for the society, and he thought they should do all tiioy could to sli')\v thfir appreciation of him. lie (Mr Hr-pn) would l)o \ory f on v if hi- >iame clashed with Mr MmtlandV in any way— in fact, he liMMiel't it would be better to =ay that l.c would withdraw lus name. The motion for the olection of Mr MaitianJ \\&i iLen put aucl carried uithour di-~cnt. : Meagig &. Ofi &SZSL £fi£ Jl,. ptfjahoka. were

elected vice-presidents; Mr A. C. Stronacli, hon. treasurer; Mr D. Russell, secretary; and Messes Richardson, S. M'Donald, and It. T. Wheeler, jun., were added to the council, the latter nvo being new members of that body. On the motion of ilr A. C. Stronaeh, Mr .Mm (Tauanui) was elected a life member of the society in recognition of his services. A resolution conveying the society's sense of regret that Mi* Maitland had been unable to devote any attention to the society during the past year was carried on the proposition of Mr A. C. Begg.